Dear Mr Maxwell,

Application Number: NP/DDD/0914/1014

Proposal: Use of yard for parking 2 lorries for commercial use, in addition to existing use of yard for agricultural purposes.

We wish to register our objection to this application.

We consider that any haulage business located on a site that is visible from many aspects of the surrounding area, on the outskirts of a conservation agricultural hamlet in an area of outstanding natural beauty, popular with walkers and holiday makers, is inappropriate. In 2008 on a visit to the site Kevin Wheeldon “advised D.S (David Sutherland) that in my view this is not an appropriate location for a haulage business”. We believe he was correct in his assertion and that the proposal contravenes or contradicts the Sanford Principle and the Core Strategy policies listed below;

GSP1/2/3

DS1

E1/2

MIN1: Minerals development

MIN2: Fluorspar proposals

T1: Reducing the general need to travel and encouraging sustainable transport.

T2: Reducing and directing traffic

T4: Managing the demand for freight transport

If this development were to be allowed it would represent a major change in the character of the hamlet. It would become industrial in character with the noise and light pollution that comes with a 24/7/nationwide/worldwide haulage operation.

It is on a narrow unclassified road that has struggled to cope with the increased heavy traffic to the extent that it has needed repairs already after a relatively short period of use. It is recommended by DDC Highways that Narrowgate Lane be widened in places to accommodate Mr Charles lorries. This will unavoidably mean encroaching onto the grass verge on one of the few quiet lanes that Wardlow has and will be a loss of amenity to the village. In bad weather Mr Charles does drive into the village. The whole of Narrowgate Lane would therefore need passing places as well as a turning circle for the lorries when they turn onto the main road in the village to stop a repeat of the damage done to the BT cover caused in the last bout of snow when one of BM Charles lorries drove over it. Dry stone walls have been moved to give the lorries a turning circle at the other end of Narrowgate Lane. The level of freight transport within the National Park is an acknowledged problem, hence the commitment in the Core Strategy to reduce it, and this proposal can only add to it, in an industry, quarrying, that the P.D.N.P.A also seeks to reduce. This proposal will enable a new business to start up to cater to quarrying activity and increase freight transportation within the National Park, in conflict with it’s transport policy. In refusing this application the P.D.N.P.A has the opportunity to keep the lorries at Dove Holes, outside the National Park, in line with it’s transport policy. The extensive and powerful lighting used by this site to enable the maintenance of lorries in the evenings makes the site stand out like a beacon in the landscape, particularly as it out of the settlement area and at odds with the linear pattern of the village. The whole development has emerged from green fields in open countryside in a short space of time, with entirely modern buildings, so the proposal will make no use of traditional buildings.

The siting of the lorries has been designed for planning purposes and is entirely impractical as it blocks the entrance to one the barns used for agriculture. The guarantee that the income derived from this venture will go into Five Acres is absent. This would also be impossible, as the Planning Department cannot tell someone how to spend their money. Under E2, the assumption is usually that the income from diversification goes into the farm because usually the farmer in question does not have other businesses to invest in. The applicant in this case has his major source of income outside the farm. This income is clearly the most important one, as when the appeal to keep BM Charles lorries was lost, the applicant submitted a Lawful Use Certificate to keep eight BM Charles lorries on the site. It would appear that this was submitted after advice had been sought on whether the current application would be favourably received by officers.

Mr Charles has moved dry stone walls and damaged the road leading to the property. He also has regularly stored salt to keep his haulage business running which scorches fields that back onto SSSI’s. Any haulage business will be clearly visible in the landscape from most parts of the village and the surrounding hills. Even Mr Charles himself does not want to look at his lorries which is why he has dug out round the house to alter the ground level, an unauthorised activity, so he does not have to.

If the Authority gives consent for any haulage business to operate from this site we consider this should be the trigger for an investigation into whether Mr Charles is in breach of his 106 legal agreement. The idea that Mr Charles can run an established haulage business from Bradwell and Dove Holes, in addition to investing the huge amount of time and effort that goes into starting any new business and still be “wholey and mainly engaged in agriculture” defies belief.

Yours faithfully,

Clare Gamble.

David Smith.

Oak Tree Cottage, Wardlow.